GAO Report - Valles Caldera Trust Has Made Some Progress, but Needs to Do More to Meet Statutory Goals

Report to Congressional Committees, November 2005 by the U.S. Government Accountability Office to assess the progress the Trust is making in meeting its statutory goals.

In 2000, Congress authorized the purchase of the Valles Caldera (the Caldera) in north-central New Mexico. The Valles Caldera Trust (Trust), a wholly owned government corporation, is to become financially self-sustaining and to manage the Caldera for multiple purposes while sustaining the land’s valuable natural resources. The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) was mandated to assess the progress the Trust is making in meeting its statutory goals.

What GAO Recommends

To help ensure that the Trust meets its goals and establish a more effective management control program, GAO recommends that the Trust’s Board of Trustees develop (1) a strategic and performance plan that identifies measurable goals and objectives for protecting and preserving the Caldera, providing recreation, sustaining yield, and becoming financially self-sustaining; (2) a plan for becoming financially self-sustaining; (3) periodic performance monitoring and reporting that enable Congress and the Trust to track progress in achieving program goals; and (4) a plan to fill vacant positions. GAO also recommends that the Board obtain the required financial audit for 2005 and report on the status of the audit in its 2006 annual report to Congress.

Read the GAO Report


 

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